Philadelphia Eagles fans have found an exciting reason to rally this season with the highly anticipated arrival of star running back Saquon Barkley. Just two games into his tenure with the Eagles, Barkley has amassed a noteworthy 52 touches, split evenly across both matches.
In Week 1, Barkley carried the ball 24 times, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, a strong indicator of his potential to break open defenses. He followed this up with another consistent performance in Week 2, where he logged 22 carries and averaged 4.3 yards per carry. Notably, his overall season average currently stands at an impressive 4.8 yards per touch, his highest since 2019.
The voracious pace at which Barkley is operating has sparked discussions about his potential workload over the season. If he continues at this rate, he could end his first season in Philadelphia with a staggering 442 touches. To put this into perspective, DeMarco Murray was the last running back to reach that number of touches back in 2014 while with the Dallas Cowboys before a less fruitful stint with the Eagles, where he noted the lowest yards-per-carry average of his career at 3.6. The records also show that Le'Veon Bell had 406 touches in 2017, only to struggle in subsequent years, holding out in 2018 for a lucrative contract and achieving a mere 3.3 yards per carry by 2019.
Eagles’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has acknowledged the need to closely monitor Barkley’s workload as the season progresses. "Obviously from a longevity standpoint as the season progresses, we've got to be aware of it," Moore stated. Understanding the rigorous demands placed on a marquee running back, Moore further added, "We certainly recognize that and understand that aspect of it. We've got to do at times a better job of that as the game goes on, especially when you look at it more from a week-to-week perspective."
Despite these concerns, Barkley himself seems unconcerned about the increased volume of touches. He credits his rigorous preparation and the Eagles' support staff for keeping him game-ready. "I think we do a good job of managing that here. Whether I do that on my own or take care of my body. Our guys in the strength room and training room do a really great job of monitoring that," Barkley explained. He remains confident and poised, highlighting his offseason and in-season training regimens as foundational to handling the workload: "I have no worries about that. That's why I train the way I do in the offseason, and the work I do in camp and in season to be able to take on the workload."
Kellen Moore concurs with Barkley's self-assessment, acknowledging the player’s eagerness for more touches and praise for his exceptional performance. "I think that's definitely fair. I think Saquon -- he wants the rock. He's done a phenomenal job," Moore observed.
The arrival of Barkley has undoubtedly invigorated the Eagles' fan base, offering a tantalizing glimpse at the potential for a stellar season. His early performances reinforce his status as a formidable presence in their offense, and how well the team manages his workload could very well be a determining factor in their quest for success.